Prinovis UK supports the Nationwide Literacy Business Pledge

Prinovis UK is taking important steps to help tackle the literacy challenge in the UK.

The Liverpool based company, which is part of Be Printers - the print division of Bertelsmann and Europe's largest gravure company has a largely local workforce of over 400 employees.

The company has signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2016, which has been spearheaded by the National Literacy Forum, a coalition led by the National Literacy Trust and supported by KPMG. The Pledge underlines the commitment of the UK business community to raise literacy levels by taking action in three specific areas: in their workforce, in their local area and at a national level.

As low literacy continues to undermine the UK’s economic competitiveness, tackling it has never been more important to business. National Literacy Forum partner KPMG estimates that a failure to master basic literacy skills costs the taxpayer up to £2.5 billion every year.

To fulfil the Pledge and help to improve literacy in Liverpool, Prinovis UK shall be running a series of events throughout 2016. These include a workplace reading challenge, sponsored literacy events and outreach with local schools. As a prelude, Prinovis UK will be staging a Reading themed Christmas party in December for its employee’s children that will be staged at the headquarters of the Reader Organisation; the Liverpool based charity that promotes shared reading as a practical way to develop good mental health, increased wellbeing and social inclusion.

Low literacy is frequently intergenerational and in some disadvantaged areas of the UK up to 35% of the adult population lack the literacy skills expected of an 11-year-old. This compromises employability, health, confidence and happiness and creates barriers to social mobility. Prinovis UK’s work as part of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2016 also supports the goals of other high profile literacy campaigns including Read On. Get On. and the Fair Education Alliance.

Vicci Tatton, HR Director, Prinovis UK, said: “As the first company based in the North West to sign-up, we are proud to join the list of inaugural signatories. Our business is print and literacy is key to supporting sustainable growth within the printing industry. We consider it our duty and responsibility to do whatever we can in and amongst our community to improve literacy.”

Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust said: “Business has a crucial role to play in helping to raise literacy levels across the country, increasing our economic competitiveness and creating a fairer society. We are delighted that Prinovis UK is taking important action to help ensure that every young person is equipped with the literacy skills they need for employment and life.